Oakwood’s Aubrey Wells had sights set on success on way to becoming Valedictorian

When Aubrey Wells walks across the stage at Oakwood this weekend, she will have accomplished her goals. 

One of seven Valedictorians in the Class of 2020, Wells had her sights set on reaching the top of her class as she came into her freshman year. 

“I have a love to succeed which I got from my parents, they always pushed me to do my best and expected a lot from me when it came to my school work,” Wells said. “I always prided myself on doing well in school. The opportunity to learn to me means the opportunity to further my education and create a good life for my future.”

The support of her parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins met a lot to the graduate.

“My family is a big part of my life and to have them cheering me on and pushing me to be my best was very important to me,” she said. “My teachers were always very supportive, they saw what I was capable of and helped push me to achieve that success.”

Wells maintained a 4.0 throughout her academic career, was secretary of the National Honors Society and has received the Presidential Scholarship to Danville Area Community College.

She was also a member of the football and basketball cheer squads, played basketball, softball, cross country and was a member of FCA throughout high school.

Wells was named by part of the Vermilion County Conference team in cross county, winning two conference and two county titles, helped win a Vermilion County Championship with the Comet basketball team and was part of the Oakwood competitive cheer squad that placed 10th at State.

“It is important to get involved in high school because it keeps you active and gives you something to work for,” she said. “It teaches you to work hard and be held accountable for what you are doing.”

Wells will look back on her time at Oakwood fondly. 

“The 2020 school year was amazing, it was flying by just as everyone had said it would,” she said. “Our class was making the most of everything knowing that it would be our last. Homecoming week in general was crazy, lots of ups and downs but it was lots of fun. Our class really made the most of it.”

The last eight weeks have been tough, though. As event cancellations, eventually ending with final weeks of school being canceled, Wells said it really hit home that the Class of 2020 was done. 

“I am glad that we get to do some sort of graduation, I wish that we were able to see all of our classmates but this is all for our safety so it is understood why it has to be done like this, she said. “There is still some hope that we will be able to do prom during the summer as a last get together with our class but everything is still undecided.”

After completing her time at DACC, Wells plans to transfer to a four-year university, although she is not sure what she would like to focus on at this point.

“School is important but it is not everything, as long as you are doing your best that is the most someone can ask of you,” she said. “Your teenage years don’t last forever, have fun while you still can.”